LIVE AND DIE IN AFRIKA

I know the buzz for Sauti Sol’s Live and Die in Afrika album has probably died down right now. It’s okay. I will try my best to revive your interest again. But I think we all acknowledge that Sauti Sol’s music is timeless.

So the album has 15 songs. Each very diverse in nature. There are attributes of Lingala in Shake yo bam bam which was cowritten with  Awilo Longomba famous Lingala master. This song was released before the album and it was a hit considering it was also among the featured songs in Coke Studio Africa season 3.

Then there is attributes of the Coastal culture in Sura yako which is usually accompanied by the Lipala dance an Abaluhya dance move. So that is the mixture of two Kenyan cultures that are very far apart from each other, blending in one song. Who said Kenyans cannot put their ethnic differences aside? On your face. Sauti sol proved you wrong.

A screenshot of the sauti sol/Iyanya sura yako video.

Enter the love songs. Sauti sol’s forte. But that is my opinion. They may think otherwise. Here we have Isabella, Say Yeah, Still the one, Kiss me. These are really sweet. They make you feel in love even though the only love of your love at the moment is pizza.

Its Okay has a Spanish aspect to it. It’s funny how one can actually really dance to salsa while listening to this song, considering the fact that you’re chasing someone away from your life. It’s not the usual slow-paced and full of pain type of songs. Quite the contrary.

Image credits: musixmatch.com

Enter nishike. The song that had everyone ranting and raving disappointment on one side and appreciation on the other side. This is one of the Sauti Sol songs that took controversy to a whole other level. This is what happens when parents are unable to accept that their boys have turned to men until it slaps them on the face and their choices become limited. Very limited.

Image credits: thestar.co.ke

 

Music that speaks about morality. These are also featured. Nerea featuring Amos and Josh speaks on abortion and responsible fatherhood. Dollardollar speaks on quick money. Sambo Party speaks on never giving up.

Live and die in Afrika is all about patriotism. It is also the name of the album. Photo credits to Anabelle Onyango for beautiful work done on the album cover because all the four artists are representative of various leaders in Africa. They bring out all the various African cultures without you having to think much about it. The song is also as patriotic, special emphasis on the vocals that mimic elephants.

Finally, this one is a personal favorite. Just like every other human being, at the end of the day it is our nature to acknowledge the powers that be, to give thanks for all achievements and seek divine intervention. Kuliko jana is what would be classified as Gospel music. A call to God from a desperate human being. With AAron Rimbui on keyboard and background vocals by Naema Murindi, Benjamin Webi and Lydia Ndwiga.

In my opinion, this album and all its 15 songs was a hit and not a miss. Let me know what you think too.

 

IMANI

I think you need a little faith, it’s not about the money, it’s all about Imani. Most people would wonder why this song seems to have a lot of flossyness about it, but I guarantee you that it is not what it seems.

In this song, Holy Dave and Ace are giving a form of thanksgiving to God by acknowledging that they actually came from nothing and turned it to something. I know to you it may sound like everyone’s typical story, but there is nothing typical about turning your life around.

Holy Dave says he could have done better in his K.C.S.E if it was not for his affiliation to drugs. Those really messed him up but what matters most is that after he realized where he was going wrong, he had the guts to change his life and embrace opportunity with all the strength he had. How often do we have the strength to actually stop doing something addictive that we know isn’t good for us and just walk away, be it a toxic habit like sleep or something as dangerous or as reckless as drinking or smoking or whatever really. How often do we just say enough is enough and actually mean it? Think about it.

After thinking about our lives, let’s listen to Imani the song that tells us to remember to say thank you to God because it is not about all the material riches we have, it actually is about the spiritual nourishment that we have in our lives regardless of whether you are a Christian or not. We all give thanks to a certain higher power in our own various ways. So let’s remember to do just that. Cheers.

TUISHI PAMOJA.

We live in a time characterised by so much warfare all around us. If it is not based on ethnic divisions, it is denominational or religious or civil. We never really know or fully understand why people fight all around us and when we do try to make sense out of it all, sometimes the journey isn’t as rosy.

It is therefore no wonder, that Shunet, a 22 year old Law student at The University of Nairobi found it necessary to write down this song,Tuishi Pamoja. He says it is Gospel. But I believe that at the end of the day, it still speaks to us all. It calls upon us to unite. Be one people just as Bob Marley once asked us to do.

So, today, while you go to pray remember that the one God we praise and worship in all our various ways and places is asking from us just one thing. Let us unite and help make the world a better place. It is the same way Shunet poses the question, Can’t we all just get along?

The tune is catchy. The hook too. It is a fast beat kind of song so the tempo that you will nod your head to, will be the same throughout. The lyrical flow is good and so is the content. The mixing up of Swahili and English in the song also adds to the lovely twist. It makes it somewhat patriotic.

You can catch Shunet at Dominion Youth Ministries every Wednesday evening from5-7pm, at St, Andrews,they strive to help the youth in their various endeavours. Maybe you can intentionally bump into him sometime and pitch an idea for a collabo. Language is entirely up to you. Cheers.